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I am now at the Grand Canyon staying at the Yavapai Lodge in the park. After I left Carlsbad I took US-285 North through Roswell (and saw the flying saucer sign) and 70/380 west and tried to continue on US-380, 380 was very nice when it went through the Lincoln National Forest. High Alpine meadows with Pine Trees, lower temps, etc. Unfortunately when I was west of Carrizozo the road was closed due to a missle test at White Sands missle range. The road was due to open up once at 2:15 but I would have had to wait 2 hours and had no idea how far i could have gone before having to wait. I ended up taking NM-55 to Mountainair. That was one desolate road, I don't think I saw more than two cars for it seemed like two hours. I then headed back to my original US-60 plan and ended up in Holbrook AZ for the evening. I did set a new KLR record (for me) at 550 miles for the day. My plan was to have a short inbound day to the Canyon since I had not set up my tent before. 
I got to Mitchell via the very windy slab around mid-day and the folks at the KOA were nice enough to watch my tent/saddlebags so I could run up to the Canyon and check it out getting back with plenty of time to set the tent up before it got dark and also avoid the road vermin which include Elk and Mule Deer in this area. It took approx 45 minutes and a minimal amount of swearing to set up once I got back from checking out the Canyon. I even had time to run into Mitchell and has a very good Mexican dinner and got back with time to spare. I also saw they had a pool at the KOA with a whirlpool next to it. I ended up yesterday in the whirlpool with a full moon overhead. 
Mitchell says it is the last town bypassed by the interstate and has a busy central district with US-66 type stuff. When I went to the Canyon yesterday I saw there were rooms available and I went ahead and got one. They also let the animals roam the park and I got a look at a mule deer up close and personal just grazing by the side of the road. I thought about unleashing my new 132 DB Fiam Highway Blaster horn on it but figured it would be frowned upon by the Park Rangers.
I did want to see the sunset over the Canyon which I did today and it was very nice and since the roads here at night are littered with vermin I thought it would be best to just stay in the park instead of elsewhere. I also took my first helicopter ride and we went over the Canyon for approx 35 minutes, all I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW. 
Off to LA in the AM to see the "Salty Monk" who has been kind enough to offer this weary traveler oil change facilities, etc.
I got to Mitchell via the very windy slab around mid-day and the folks at the KOA were nice enough to watch my tent/saddlebags so I could run up to the Canyon and check it out getting back with plenty of time to set the tent up before it got dark and also avoid the road vermin which include Elk and Mule Deer in this area. It took approx 45 minutes and a minimal amount of swearing to set up once I got back from checking out the Canyon. I even had time to run into Mitchell and has a very good Mexican dinner and got back with time to spare. I also saw they had a pool at the KOA with a whirlpool next to it. I ended up yesterday in the whirlpool with a full moon overhead. Mitchell says it is the last town bypassed by the interstate and has a busy central district with US-66 type stuff. When I went to the Canyon yesterday I saw there were rooms available and I went ahead and got one. They also let the animals roam the park and I got a look at a mule deer up close and personal just grazing by the side of the road. I thought about unleashing my new 132 DB Fiam Highway Blaster horn on it but figured it would be frowned upon by the Park Rangers. I did want to see the sunset over the Canyon which I did today and it was very nice and since the roads here at night are littered with vermin I thought it would be best to just stay in the park instead of elsewhere. I also took my first helicopter ride and we went over the Canyon for approx 35 minutes, all I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW. Off to LA in the AM to see the "Salty Monk" who has been kind enough to offer this weary traveler oil change facilities, etc.
I went south and caught US-180 to Flagstaff. Wind was approx 30 -40 mph cross and it seemed I was at a 15 degree angle slugging my way through it. I went over an approx 7000 foot peak on the way to Flagstaff and the temps were good at elevation and the wind died somewhat down so it was better. From there I was going to catch AZ-89A through Sedona but it was closed due to re-paving after the fire. I did manage to get back on 89A in Sedona and the peaks were a bright red which was excellent to check out briefly in between wind gusts. I went through Jerome and there were also some tasty bits there but they had 7 miles of fresh oil on new chip and seal at the top so I gingerly made my way through it. It was approx 5 - 6 thousand feet up in that area as well. I caught AZ-89 in Prescott and to the south of Prescott also some pretty nice roads. I have taken a ton of photos so far and hoping a real internet connection tomorrow will make them transferable. 
that my friend Brian sent to me. We also had a chance for a quick spin on the canyon roads by his place and I finally saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. We also did some "lane splitting" which is in a gray area of the law but everyone in CA. does it. When I came on on CA-91 Saturday there were a few spots that backed up but I saw at least two bikes splitting at approx 25 - 30 mph through nearly stopped traffic.
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